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ELC has free-wheeling additions

Photo provided These 'all terrain' wheelchairs were part of the Press Journal's 12 Days of Christmas Program which helped to generate the funding for the Environmental Learning Center and other nonprofits.

Dan Perkins is responsible for maintaining the grounds at the Environmental Learning Center. He also has a daughter with mobility issues, who hadn't been able to embrace the wonder of where her father works.

What started out as a PVC-pipe dream turned into a full blown Christmas wish that was granted when the ELC acquired fat-tire wheelchairs that can navigate the natural beauty near the shores of the Indian River Lagoon.

The chairs were purchased with donations from the 12 Days of Christmas Program, sponsored by the Press Journal and Treasure Coast Newspapers, which publishes requests for donations of items that improve nonprofits' operations so they can better serve the community.

"I would see parents struggling with strollers through parts of the campus, individuals who can't walk, or grandparents who had to sit and wait while the rest of their family explored the grounds," said Perkins. "I believed we could find a vehicle that people of any age could use to go out and enjoy the campus."

ELC's Executive Director Molly Steinwald agreed.

"We could tell that visitors were restricted to exploring parts of the campus that don't have the wood decks where you can push a stroller or a wheelchair safely," she said "We are really proud of the experience at ELC — the opportunity to really get a feel for the environment here — so we also didn't want to jeopardize the nature trails. They are just as important. These chairs are going to provide that access. Everyone can now explore every step of nature at the ELC."

Steinwald estimates that the wheelchairs open up approximately 85 percent more of the Center's 64-acre campus to people who could not experience it, just a few months ago.

Pitching in

Readers of the Press Journal and TCPalm.com are the heroes that have made these encounters with the natural world accessible to all. Twelve nonprofits were featured in the 12 Days of Christmas Program and seven of those organizations' wishes were fulfilled.

But contributions exceeded expectations for three of the nonprofits, including the ELC.

"This is proof again that the Press Journal is committed to the community and our stories have an impact on making lives better in Indian River County," said Bob Brunjes, president and publisher of Treasure Coast Newspapers. "It is proof again, too, about what a special place this is. Once the paper put out a call for help, the support was there to allow children the opportunity to see nature in a way they might not otherwise."

The chairs helped fulfill one of the goals laid out in the ELC's new mission statement: "Educate, inspire and empower all people, including those with minimal access to nature, to be active stewards of the environment and their own well-being."

"I wanted the wish to help move our mission statement forward," says Steinwald. "One of the issues we have faced is that many people in the community have limited physical mobility and are only able to experience a small part of our 64-acre nature campus. Yet these people can benefit so much from contact with nature."

The fleet

Perkins research had turned up a $1,400 PVC model and the ELC asked for two. They soon received the funds to buy those — and the generosity kept on coming.

"By having more wheelchairs available, we could make a group of people with limited mobility visiting campus a normal activity," said Steinwald.

The outpouring of donations also allowed the ELC to purchase a fancier fleet.

"We tested different models, seeing which was best for our varied terrain campus, including accessing our indoor areas, classrooms and handicapped accessible restroom. We had the greatest ease, comfort and safety of the user in mind as well as durability," Steinwald explains.

"We settled on Deming Design's De-Bug Beach Wheelchair, hands-down, which cost $2,500. With the funds donated, in addition to an anonymous donation of that model itself in response to the "12 Days of Christmas" story, we now have four of these wheelchair models."

The all-terrain chairs are free to use with paid admission, available on a first come/first serve basis. However, if a group schedules a visit beforehand (a school or adult day care center, for example), they can call ahead and request that the chairs be reserved. There are waivers that must be signed and since the chairs are not self-propelled, another individual must be willing to push it through the terrain.

"I cannot tell you how tremendously grateful we are for the generosity of the community and the 12 Days of Christmas Program," said Steinwald. "This wish has done so much good for the organization and the community we serve — even more than we could have ever imagined."

For more information, contact the Environmental Learning Center at www.discoverelc.org or call 772-589-5050.

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